LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas defended his decision to allow Hugo Lloris to stay on the pitch during a Premier League game on Sunday despite the goalkeeper being knocked unconscious in a collision.

Lloris' head collided with the knee of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku in the 77th minute of Sunday's 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, leaving the France captain flat out on the ground.

After lengthy treatment, a groggy Lloris was helped toward the sideline but declined medical advice to be substituted and decided to play on.

"Hugo still doesn't recall everything about the incident," Villas-Boas said. "It was a very difficult moment for us and I am happy he is well.

"I made the call to keep him on the pitch because of the signs he was giving."

Some critics have argued Lloris wasn't in the right frame of mind to make a call on whether he should have continued, but Villas-Boas said the goalkeeper's performance in the remainder of the match justified the decision.

"He was determined to continue and looked concentrated, driven and focused enough for me not to make the call to replace him," Villas-Boas said. "The saves he did after the incident proved that right."